Reactions Divided Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Over Doorstepping Ban... "MBC Brought It On" "Is the President a Sanctuary?" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Naju-seok] Regarding the Presidential Office's decision on the 21st to suspend President Yoon Seok-yeol's doorstepping, the ruling party defended it as a "decision caused by MBC," while the opposition criticized it, asking, "Is the president a sanctuary?"

Park Jeong-ha, chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, said in a statement that day, "The temporary suspension of doorstepping was caused by MBC," adding, "Freedom of the press and license are clearly different, and the press must have a clear sense of responsibility. We hope society's common sense will be remembered."

Spokesperson Park emphasized, "President Yoon Seok-yeol has valued communication with the media more than any previous president or government. That is why, from the beginning of his term, he conducted doorstepping, which had never even been attempted in previous Blue House administrations," and added, "We expect the media to take a responsible attitude and self-reflect so that the Presidential Office's doorstepping can resume promptly."

Hong Joon-pyo, Daegu Mayor and senior advisor of the People Power Party, said through his social network service (SNS) that day, "Although somewhat belated, it is a very good decision," and added, "The president's words should carry the weight of a mountain."

Kim Ki-hyun, a candidate for party leadership, also called it an "unavoidable measure" via SNS, and Kwon Seong-dong pointed out, "There is a risk of such unfortunate incidents happening again," adding, "If there is no definite plan to prevent recurrence, doorstepping cannot help but be suspended."

The opposition launched sharp criticism. Go Min-jung, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "The president must be very angry. He said he would install a partition but now says doorstepping will be suspended," adding, "I didn't know the president's position was such a sanctuary."

The Democratic Party plans to hold a briefing on media suppression at 2 p.m. that day to further criticize the decision. Spokesperson Park Seong-jung told reporters right after the Supreme Council meeting, "Ultimately, this is media taming," adding, "Conflicts with the media continue, and although they talk about communication, openness, and freedom, isn't this ultimately revealing a closed and uncommunicative view of the media?"

Senior spokesperson Ahn Ho-young of the Democratic Party also said in a briefing, "Is asking the president uncomfortable questions an unfortunate incident? Is talking about measures to prevent recurrence telling reporters not to question the president's words?" adding, "It is a very authoritarian idea and a petty response."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.